Church Insurance Carriers Providing Churches and Religious Organizations The Best Insurance for Churches

When it comes to finding the right church insurance carrier, there are a few key things you’ll want to look for. Most importantly, do the church insurance carriers have experience insuring churches and religious organizations?

You’ll also want to ensure that the company is reputable and has an excellent financial rating from AM-Best. Lastly, you’ll want to find a company that offers competitive rates.

With so many insurance companies specializing in church insurance, it can be difficult to know where to start. You must know everything about finding the right church business insurance carrier.

How Do Insurance Brokers Select a Church Insurance Carrier for Religious Organizations?

AM Best Rating of the Church Insurance Carrier

Integrity Now Insurance Brokers must review the AM Best rating of a commercial property insurance company before requesting to obtain church insurance quotes. Our job is to ensure the financial rating is stable to reduce the potential for issues in the future.

As of January 24, 2023, here are a few examples of AM Best Ratings:

Brotherhood Mutual:

Brotherhood Mutual is currently rated at A- IX ($250 Million to $500 Million)

They were downgraded from Stable to Negative on February 2, 2021

Am Best noted the following in their February 2, 2021 press release: “The rating actions reflect deterioration in Brotherhood’s overall balance sheet strength due to a decline in its risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and the instability of its loss reserves following a significant increase in net carried reserves in third-quarter 2018”

As church insurance brokers, we must consider these actions before placing business with a downgraded insurance company. The church insurance carrier will need immediate corrective actions to stabilize itself and ensure AM Best does not take further negative steps.

Great American Insurance Company:

Great American Insurance Company is currently rated at A+ XV ($2 Billion or greater)

AM Best noted in their December 16, 2022, press release that they reaffirmed the company’s outlook as stable.

Great America’s financials are a company to be desired and to feel confident in its ability to pay. They provide church package policies that include customized coverage for pastoral professional liability, abuse and molestation, church property insurance, directors and officers insurance, and more.

GuideOne Insurance:

GuideOne Insurance is currently rated at A- IX ($250 Million to $500 Million)

They were upgraded from Negative to Stable on April 7, 2020. On April 1, 2021, AM Best reaffirmed the insurance company’s outlook as Stable.

AM Best noted the following in their April 7, 2020 press release: “The stable outlooks reflect the group’s actions that have steadied capital, improved operating results, and reduced volatility in reserve development relative to surplus over the past two rating cycles.”

Integrity Now Insurance Brokers reviews these financials positively as the insurance company has stabilized and is moving in the right direction. They quickly took the appropriate actions needed to be upgraded by AM Best.

It is essential to review AM Best regularly to ensure the carriers we represent are financially sound to ensure your congregation, employees, and volunteers are protected in the event of a loss. Religious groups need liability policies from stable insurance companies that provide the unique coverages required by churches and nonprofits.

Church Insurance Coverage Offered

Sometimes the cheapest church insurance coverage is not always the best insurance coverage. I always say the devil is in the details of the insurance policy language. Nonprofit organizations must ensure the insurance covers not only property insurance but all liability needs of the church organization.

Church insurance is essential to the financial health of religious organizations and houses of worship. As church Insurance brokers, we may offer various coverage options to protect churches from potential risks.

These risks include General liability insurance for churches, church property insurance, nonprofit group health benefits, religious school and daycare insurance, church camp coverage, and travel insurance.

With the sharp rise in inflation in 2022, church buildings must request updated replacement cost estimates from your church insurance agents to ensure the inflation guard on your policy keeps up. While many churches may not be able to afford a larger premium increase due to raising the building limits, your churches can’t afford to if a fire strikes.

Contact one of our church insurance agents to request a complete policy review and obtain church insurance quotes today.

Claims Handling of the Church Insurance Carriers

As an independent insurance agent, the last thing we want to find out is one of our clients is not being taken care of by a church insurance carrier we recommended. This is why churches and other religious organizations need a professional church insurance agency with access to multiple commercial insurance companies.

This allows companies like Integrity Now Insurance Brokers to continually evaluate insurance companies rather than being stuck with only one and recommend changing companies if and when an insurance company starts to deteriorate in customer service or claims handling.

I always say the claims experience can make or break a relationship. This is where ministries across the US decide if their insurance company has what it takes to get them back up and running.

We work with some of the best church insurance companies known for handling claims. Are they perfect on every claim? No, but they are pretty fantastic in most cases.

Rates Charged by the Church Insurance Company

The rates charged by an insurance company need to be consistent and reasonable. No one likes feeling like they go a great deal to find out their insurance premiums jump significantly a year later for no good reason.

Our licensed church insurance consultants provide quotes from well-established insurance companies and provide commercial policyholders with a fair and consistent policy for religious organizations. Church insurance costs will increase slightly most years to compensate for the building coverage increase. This is normal, but with the Church Insurance Company, we ensure your rate hikes never blindside you.

We work closely with our church insurance companies to help them better serve their policyholders and provide consistent coverage to protect your church’s insurance needs.

Underwriting Guidelines

When selecting a church insurance carrier for a religious organization, several fundamental underwriting guidelines must be considered. It’s essential to compare and contrast different insurance carriers to find the one that best suits the organization’s needs.

Some policies include far superior coverage. Still, if the underwriting guidelines state that the church must fit a specific mold, many small church insurance programs will not meet that insurance company’s requirements.

While underwriting guidelines are designed to protect the insurance company, they should also help small religious ministries and large churches obtain the required insurance coverage.

Our team of church insurance professionals offers expert advice and helps provide the needed accident insurance that covers property and liability risks.

Available Discounts offered by the Insurance Company

Many insurance companies offer various discounts for religious organizations. For example, GuideOne offers an Group Affiliated Program designed to provide specialized, comprehensive insurance coverage for religious organizations’ headquarters and their member institutions.

GuideOne Mutual Insurance will provide a return of premium for churches within this group affiliation if the overall program has low losses. We have seen checks that can equal thousands of dollars returned to individual churches.

Other discounts offered by insurance companies include risk management credits, experienced staff, and loss control policies and procedures established and followed. When you need insurance, discuss available discounts offered by the insurance company.

Stability of Renewal Rates Charged by the Insurance Company

The stability of renewal rates an insurance company charges is crucial when selecting a church insurance carrier for a religious organization. This ensures that their insurance premiums will remain consistent in the long run.

Risk Management Services Offered by the Insurance Company

Insurance companies specializing in church insurance will provide a wide range of risk management services to religious organizations, such as an online article library, sample forms, policies, checklists, how-to videos, manuals, and publications, a Loss Control Services team that can review operations, procedures, and programs, and expert guidance regarding creating a custom insurance or benefits package.

The insurance company will also negotiate lower-cost services such as criminal background checks for churches to utilize. Review the insurance company’s website to see what extra benefits it provides to its policyholders.

Local Claims Team in each State

Many insurance companies have cut back on their claims teams and have centralized their services in a single state. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost to religious groups. Our independent agents work with insurance companies with trusted names recognized by churches across this great nation.

These church insurance carriers are designed to help houses of worship and maintain a local presence to serve their clients best.

5 Best Church Insurance Carriers

Church Mutual Insurance Company

The features and benefits of Church Mutual Insurance Company include:

• Specialized expertise in religious organizations and churches.
• Robust commercial property and liability insurance selection, including multi-peril, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance.
• Fast claims, free monitoring service for water leaks, threatening low temperatures, and even an intruder alert system that contacts law enforcement.
• Easy payments online and scheduling options ahead of the due date.
• Support and assistance with claims and facility replacement.
• High customer satisfaction and recommendations.

Great American Insurance Company

Great American Insurance Company is an excellent church insurance carrier due to its comprehensive coverage options, outstanding customer service, and dependable claims response.

Great American provides specialized coverage for religious organizations tailored to the specific needs of churches, convents, divinity schools, missions, monasteries, retreat houses, seminaries, shrines, synagogues, and temples. Great American Insurance Company is the perfect carrier for large mega churches looking for comprehensive coverage and reliable customer service.

GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company

GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company offers its policyholders a range of features and benefits. These include:

• Church group-affiliated programs
• FaithGuard insurance package policy
• Coverages specializing in churches, including Property and Liability coverages for houses of worship.
• Best-in-class religious expression insurance coverage
• Superior claims team
• Risk management services specifically for churches
• Financially stable
• Offers coverage for property damage and theft insurance
• Workers’ compensation insurance
• 15-passenger van insurance
• Bus Insurance Program

Hanover Insurance Company

The Hanover Insurance Company is a great option for church insurance, offering a wide range of coverage options and benefits. Features and benefits of using Hanover Insurance Company for church insurance include:

• Flexible coverage options with customizable limits and deductibles
• Comprehensive property and liability coverage
• Workers’ compensation coverage
• Commercial vehicle coverage
• Cost-effective rates for property coverage and inland marine policies
• Experienced agents who are knowledgeable about church insurance coverage
• Risk management resources to help churches minimize future losses
• Financial stability and reliability

Philadelphia Insurance Company

The Philadelphia Insurance Company offers a variety of features and benefits when it comes to church insurance. They provide tailored coverage for churches and religious organizations that includes the following:

• Competitive premiums
• Fast claims processing
• Large church insurance programs
• Standalone secondary policies
• High umbrella limits
• Church building insurance
• Personal property coverage limits
• International mission trip insurance coverage

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What to Consider when Choosing an Insurance Carrier for Your Church

When selecting a church insurance carrier for your nonprofit organization, several factors must be considered.

1. First, you should determine your coverage needs and ensure that your chosen policy meets these needs.
2. You should consider your church’s location and claims history, as these can influence the cost of your coverage.
3. Assess whether any vehicles, employees, or professionals associated with your church need enhanced coverage, as this can affect your insurance rates.
4. Ensure you get the best coverage deal without sacrificing adequate protection.
5. Finally, you should consider the available coverage types, such as property and liability, pastoral professional liability, sexual misconduct liability, travel insurance, auto insurance, and umbrella insurance.

With a suitable church insurance carrier, your church can rest assured that its members and staff are adequately protected.

Affordable Small Church Insurance Carriers

A few carriers are worth considering when finding affordable old church insurance programs. Integrity Now Insurance Brokers is an excellent option for quickly and easily comparing online insurance quotes for churches.

We have been helping churches obtain comprehensive, affordable, reliable, and affordable religious insurance. We pride ourselves on not removing the required coverages but providing additional coverage without breaking the bank.

Best Large Church Insurance Carriers

There are many factors to consider when finding the best large church insurance carriers. To ensure you get the right coverage for your religious organization, it is best to compare and evaluate multiple providers.

While some national church insurance carriers may offer suitable coverage for churches, a large church insurance program needs additional protection from top-rated insurance providers.

This is where Philidelphia Insurance and Great American Insurance Company shine best. Contact our agency to gain access to these two insurance companies.

What Type of Insurance Do Churches Have?

Churches need to have a variety of insurance coverage to protect themselves. These coverages include the following:

Church General Liability Insurance Coverage

A business liability insurance policy tailored for religious ministries. It protects nonprofit organizations from harm related to lawsuits and other liabilities, including injury, property damage, advertising, and personal injury. The policy covers legal defense costs and financial damages awarded by a court.

Workers Compensation Insurance

If a pastor is injured during worship services, your workers’ comp church insurer will help provide insurance protection to get your pastor back to work. Workers’ compensation policies will cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits if a pastor becomes injured due to a work-related injury.

Sexual Misconduct Liability Insurance

Your worship centers often include nursery centers, children’s ministry, and youth groups, which can create an environment for an abuse claim. When accusations fly, churches need the required insurance protection in place. Having sexual conduct liability insurance helps provide financial support in defending these claims. Without sexual conduct liability coverage, churches are responsible for 100 percent of the costs to protect and pay damages.

Pastoral Counseling Services Liability Insurance

Just like doctors need malpractice insurance, pastors and church leaders who provide spiritual counseling must have pastoral liability insurance. This protects not only the pastor but also the religious organization.

Management Liability Insurance

Directors and Officers insurance covers potential risks associated with the church operations. It helps protect religious institutions from claims of mismanagement, negligence, wrongful acts, and negligence made against them by employees, customers, or other third parties.

All church denominations must have the necessary insurance protection as part of their risk management practices.

National Church Insurers Quotes

Church insurance carriers can provide resources to help churches reduce risk and understand their exposures. Most of these companies offer access to coverage explicitly tailored to the needs of religious institutions and ministries.

Integrity Now Insurance Brokers protect all ministries, including those that serve youth, homeless or elderly populations or provide counseling services. Their policies offer protection from claims of sexual abuse, negligence, wrongful acts, and property damage.

To ensure that churches are properly insured and covered, Integrity Now Insurance Brokers offers comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential risks for churches before they purchase insurance coverage. This assessment involves gathering information about the church’s operations and activities and tailoring the coverage to fit their needs.

Integrity Now Insurance Brokers also has experience in providing specialized insurance for religious institutions, such as missionary trips, special events, and church camps. With a wide range of coverages available, Integrity Now Insurance Brokers can help churches protect themselves against any potential risk or liability.

Contact an agent today and request a church insurance quote and gain access to one of our Christian insurance companies.